Safety checklist — Blasting / Rock drilling

Drilling, blasting and shooting in rocky terrain. Compliant with Québec's Construction Safety Code (CSTC) and CNESST standards.

13 items

✓
Blasting permit obtained and blast plan approved by engineerCritical
ℹ️ CSTC art. 4.3 — blasting plan mandatory, signed by engineer
✓
Certified blaster present on site (valid competency card)Critical
ℹ️ Only a certified blaster may handle explosives (CSTC art. 4.2)
✓
Safety perimeter established and marked per blast plan
✓
Warning given to workers and neighbors — siren/horn
✓
Explosives stored per regulations — proper distance and magazine
✓
Check for thunderstorms — no blasting if lightning riskCritical
ℹ️ Lightning = spontaneous detonation — mandatory stop if storm < 10 km
✓
PPE worn: hard hat, ballistic glasses, hearing protection, hi-vis vest
✓
Radio/communication functional between blaster and sentries
✓
All personnel evacuated beyond perimeter BEFORE detonation
✓
Sentries posted at every access to prevent entry
✓
Detonation sound signal given (code: 3 long blasts)
✓
Blaster verifies all holes fired after the blast
✓
Minimum wait before returning to zone — time per explosive type

5 items

✓
Zone inspected — identify misfiresCritical
ℹ️ Misfire = unexploded charge still in place — extreme danger
✓
Misfires handled only by blaster per procedure
✓
Unused explosives returned to magazine — inventory updated
✓
All-clear signal given — return to zone authorized
✓
Blasting report completed and filed (date, quantities, results)